upon the domestic institutions of one portion of the Confederacy, and involving the constitutional rights of the States.  But, notwithstanding differences of opinion and sentiment, which then existed in relation to details and specific provisions, the acquiescence of distinguished citizens, whose devotion to the Union can never be doubted, had given renewed vigor to our institutions, and restored a sense of repose and security to the public mind throughout the Confederacy.  That this repose is to suffer no shock during my official term, if I have power to avert it, those who placed me here may be assured.”

The agreement of the two old political parties, thus referred to by the Chief Magistrate of the country, was complete, and a large majority of the American people seemed to acquiesce in the legislation of which he spoke.

A few of us, indeed, doubted the accuracy of these statements, and the permanency of this repose.  We never believed that the acts of 1850 would prove to be a permanent adjustment of the slavery question.  We believed no permanent adjustment of that question possible except by a return to that original policy of the fathers of the Republic, by which slavery was restricted within State limits, and freedom, without exception or limitation, was intended to be secured to every person outside of State limits and under the exclusive jurisdiction of the General Government.

But, sir, we only represented a small, though vigorous and growing, party in the country.  Our number was small in Congress.  By some we were regarded as visionaries—­by some as factionists; while almost all agreed in pronouncing us mistaken.

And so, sir, the country was at peace.  As the eye swept the entire circumference of the horizon and upward to mid-heaven not a cloud appeared; to common observation there was no mist or stain upon the clearness of the sky.

But suddenly all is changed.  Rattling thunder breaks from the cloudless firmament.  The storm bursts forth in fury.  Warring winds rush into conflict.

     “Eurus, Notusque ruunt, creberque procellis Africus.”

Yes, sir, “creber procellis Africus”—­the South wind thick with storm.  And now we find ourselves in the midst of an agitation, the end and issue of which no man can foresee.

Now, sir, who is responsible for this renewal of strife and controversy?  Not we, for we have introduced no question of territorial slavery into Congress—­not we who are denounced as agitators and factionists.  No, sir:  the quietists and the finalists have become agitators; they who told us that all agitation was quieted, and that the resolutions of the political conventions put a final period to the discussion of slavery.

This will not escape the observation of the country.  It is Slavery that renews the strife.  It is Slavery that again wants room.  It is Slavery, with its insatiate demands for more slave territory and more slave States.